Everton to conduct good business with Wilfried Gnonto transfer

Everton have been told that signing Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds United would be "good business" by former England midfielder Carlton Palmer.

Speaking to Football League World (23 July), Palmer said that while Gnonto was far from Leeds' best player last season, his age and Premier League experience are worth the potential fee of £25million (TEAMtalk).

The Toffees have a long-standing interest in Gnonto and first tried to sign him in the summer of 2023, and Palmer said they could do much worse with the £50million brought in by Amadou Onana's sale to Aston Villa [iNews, 18 July].

Palmer said: “The 20-year-old never really caught fire last season like (Crysencio) Summerville but he has a tremendous future ahead of him, he is a seriously talented player. 

“So, a 20-year-old at £25million, I think is good business because Everton are believed to be getting about £50million for Amadou Onana, who is going to Aston Villa.

“He has got plenty and plenty of ability, he has played in the top flight, I think this is a fair fee."

Wilfried Gnonto transfer could be transformational for Everton

Looking at Sean Dyche's squad at present makes it clear that if the Blues are sorely lacking in one area over all others it's out wide, with very few out-and-out wingers to choose from.

Although a loan move for Napoli winger Jesper Lindstrom is reportedly close [Calcio Mercato, 20 July], the Toffees will still only have the Swede, Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison on the flanks, the latter already on loan from Leeds.

Gnonto would provide a wholly new dynamic of winger to the squad, having a low centre of gravity and being willing to take on defenders at every possible opportunity.

New signing Iliman Ndiaye is capable of playing out wide, but with Gnonto and another either side of him, the Senegalese international could thrive in Dyche's new-look side next season.

It remains to be seen how the £50m fee for Onana is reimbursed back into the Toffees squad, but with a pressing need to quality on the flanks, signing Gnonto might just fit the bill.

In other Everton news, Tony Bellew told talkSPORT which player he wants to see stay at Goodison Park next season.

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